Folktales and Philosophy for Children

Abstract

Introduction:  “You know,” Socrates says, “that the beginning of any kind of work is its most important part, especially when it deals with young and tender things during the period when they are most easily formed” (Plato, 1873, p. 377ab). This seems right. Socrates continues, “Then should we be so careless as to allow children to hear just any story made up by anyone who comes along, taking ideas into their minds that are the exact opposite of the ones they should have when they grow up?” Perhaps, but which stories are the ones children shouldn’t have? The false stories? Even Socrates admits, “[W]e begin by telling stories to children that are mostly false but contain a grain of truth” (Plato, 1873, p. 377b).